Enterprise bargaining at CSIRO continues to progress with another productive negotiation meeting resulting in proposals retaining key workplace conditions and rights in an enforceable agreement.
However progress on several critical issues including term employment, outsourcing and a pay increase remains elusive.
Key clauses retained
Bargaining representatives have agreed that a number of important clauses will be retained in a legally enforceable enterprise agreement.
These include; overtime, enhanced responsibilities allowance, restriction duty, field work, learning and development, superior performance rating, assistance with studies, health and safety representatives, equity and diversity officers, colleague officer, return from lengthy absences, and flexible working hours.
Indefinite employment is back but more work to do on job security
In a significant development, management agreed to retain indefinite employment as the standard form of employment in CSIRO.
However more work needs to be done to strengthen job security at CSIRO. Outstanding issues include conditions relating to specified term employment (criteria and tenure review), individual flexibility arrangements and protections from outsourcing and casualisation.
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Grievance procedures and pay
Also on the agenda for future negotiations is a new grievance and misconduct procedure that secures the implementation of recommendations arising from the Pearce inquiry into bullying, harassment and unreasonable behaviour at CSIRO.
While pay was not discussed at the most recent negotiations, the thorny issue of remuneration for CSIRO employees – who have not received a salary increase since 2013 – will come into sharper focus during talks over coming days and weeks.
The end game
Staff Association bargaining representatives report that achieving the most important claim of members – the retention of existing conditions and rights in a legally enforceable enterprise agreement – could soon be within view.
Other priorities of members – such as the improvement of conditions and rights in order to recognise the increased efforts and productivity of staff – are not being entertained by CSIRO management due to the continued application of the Government’s bargaining policy.
Next meeting
Another update will be provided to Staff Association members following the next formal negotiations, scheduled for Monday 27 March. An updated version of the Staff Association’s analysis of management’s proposal compared to the current agreement will be included, as will detail on any outstanding issues and clauses not considered.
Time to join
If you value your pay and conditions, support the CSIRO Staff Association by becoming a member. Speak to your workplace delegate or organiser, email csstaff@cpsu.org.au or call (03) 8260 6348 for more information.
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